Admitted to Practice

Languages

Stephen R. Ledoux

Steve focuses his practice on hotels, mixed use development, and land based telecommunication systems. His passion is solving the regulatory, political, relational and financial challenges required to create places of distinction and enhance communications. Steve has a knack for helping clients structure and close equity and debt financing, obtain project approvals and maximize public-private participation. His efforts have helped developers succeed against all odds with marquee projects. His clients include many international investors seeking guidance in placing assets in the United States real estate market.

Steve enjoys mentoring and teaching, and regularly serves as a lecturer and panelist, including at the American Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS), The Lodging Conference, American Planning Association (APA), Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), Cellular Telephone Industry Association (CTIA), and mandatory continuing legal education (MCLE) conferences.

Representative Experience

Hotels

Columbia Point Lodge

Representing Tom Drumheller in the development of a new 100 room boutique hotel in Richland, Wash., to be called the Columbia Point Lodge. Assist in creating and negotiating the structure and returns of equity investors, the long-term ground lease with the City, and construction loan. (Ongoing)

Acquisition of Hotel 1000

Introduced client Thayer Lodging to client Provenance Hotel Group and lead their joint acquisition of the spectacular Hotel 1000 in Seattle, Wash. for $63 million. Negotiated term sheet, hotel management agreement and relationship from start to finish and closed the complicated real estate transaction, which required specialized knowledge of Washington condominium law. (2014)

Ritz-Carlton San Francisco

Acted as California counsel (with Hogan Lovells as national counsel) to Thayer Lodging Group, a privately held hotel investment company, in the acquisition of the 338-room Ritz-Carlton San Francisco. Work included review of purchase and sale agreement; liquor license regulatory counseling, including clearance certificates from employment development department, franchise tax board and state board of equalization; advice on local ordinances regarding seller obligations to complete water and energy conservation measures, state law matters regarding seller obligations as to energy audits, asset allocations, and supplemental tax assessments under California Proposition 13; and review of loan agreements and loan documents and issuance of legal opinion. (2013)

Inn at the 5th

Represented Brian Obie, developer of the Inn at the 5th, a 68-room boutique hotel in Eugene, Ore., in the structure and returns of equity investors, private placement memorandum, long-term ground lease, hotel management contract, and review of all financing documents, including obtaining a critical subordination agreement from the existing lender on the fee land. (2010)

Intercontinental “The Clement” Hotel Monterey

Developed and implemented the legal strategy resulting in the new Intercontinental “The Clement” Hotel Monterey after 25 years of inactivity, including obtaining all environmental approvals and entitlements from the California Coastal Commission, Army Corps of Engineers, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, City of Monterey and others. The hotel was named best hospitality project in McGraw-Hill Construction's California Construction "08 best of awards" recognizing construction and design excellence. (2008)

Cavallo Point

Assisted developer Tom Sargent in structuring and closing his initial investor round and negotiating hotel operating agreement with Passport Resorts LLC for Cavallo Point Resort on San Francisco Bay. (2008)

Residential

The Ohlone

On behalf of Republic Urban Properties and Barry Swenson Builder negotiated land acquisition from the Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority for the development of a LEED certified, high-density, mixed-use, transit-oriented development with approximately 800 residential units and 30,000 square feet of retail space in midtown San Jose. Work includes advocacy for all land use entitlements, contracting and environmental matters; negotiation of purchase and sale agreement with VTA. This is one of the largest multifamily projects in the largest Bay Area City. (Ongoing)

Meridian Apartments

Represent Republic Urban Properties in the development of a 240 unit transit oriented multifamily development. Played a critical role in the land assemblage and acquisition, including closing bridge loan from Pembrook, its first foray into San Jose. Assisted Republic in closing a $42 million construction loan from Bank of the West and Pembrook preferred equity financing. (Ongoing)

Luxury Homes

Represent Barry Swenson Building in the development of luxury homes on the California Coast, including obtaining essential easements from Union Pacific Railroad, venture agreement with partners and County processing. (Ongoing)

Restaurant & Theatre

Sundance Cinemas

Negotiated lease, subordination document and parking agreements for new Sundance Cinemas at Houston's Bayou Place and on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles. (Ongoing)

Lafitte

Represented Chef Russell Jackson in the negotiation of a lease for a prime waterfront location on Pier 5, selected by the San Francisco Bay Times as the real estate deal of 2010 in the restaurant category. Restaurant Lafitte will be a prime location for America’s Cup viewing in 2013.

Agricultural, Retail & Industrial

American Pacific International Capital

Assisted international investors in the purchase of China Village, a 350,000 square foot Asian-themed retail center in Fremont, Calif. (2012)

Windset Farms Santa Maria Greenhouse

Represented produce grower in the negotiation and closing of a $50 million credit facility from Rabobank NA for the acquisition of approximately 221 acres of open farmland located near Santa Maria, Calif., and the construction, completion, ownership and operation of a 64 acre greenhouse and associated vegetable packing, cooling and shipping facilities. (2011)

Saigon Village acquisition

Assist international investors acquire and renovate this Asian Shopping Center condominium project, including the structuring of a complex financing and participate structure. (Ongoing)

Huy Fong Headquarters

Completed all real estate negotiations with the City of Irwindale, Calif., for the disposition and development agreement to move Huy Fong Foods Inc.'s entire operation from Rosemead to a 22.9-acre site on Azusa Canyon Rd. Huy Fong is the maker of the famous Siracha Sauce, opened its new headquarters in 2012. Project named "Best Industrial Project" of 2012 by the "Los Angeles Business Journal." (2009)

Solar

Cloverleaf Solar

Represent Republic Solar with the development of a 15 Megawatt (MW) solar power system in Santa Clara County, California, in the first phase of a larger effort to create solar projects throughout the state in unused public right-of-way. Assisted with negotiation of an exclusive agreement with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for over 65 acres within their state freeway system; a power purchase agreement with an investor-owned utility; and filings at the CPUC. (Ongoing)

Acquisitions and Sales

Development of world headquarters for Kittrich Corporation

For Seventh Street Development, Inc., JV agreement with JPM, financing, construction and sale of world headquarters to Kittrich Corporation. (2013)

Five Boutique Hotels

Represented APIC in the 'off-market' acquisition of five San Francisco hotels from foreclosing lender or bridge purchaser. Made introductions and negotiated term sheet and purchase and sale agreements which allowed client to avoid market bidding process and achieve favorable pricing. (2011)

Assisted Living

Represented Decurion in the complicated purchase of an assisted living facility in receivership from Wells Fargo Bank. (2011)

Laguna Hills Holiday Inn

Assisted client in structuring and closing the sale of the Laguna Hills Holiday Inn, one of the few hotel sales in 2009, through use of seller financing. (2009)

Telecommunications

Land use permits for national wireless carriers

Obtain land use permits for telecommunications facilities sited on private property and in the public right of way and on utility poles; obtained hundreds of permits in the first instance and on appeal on behalf of nearly all of the major wireless carriers. (Ongoing)